San Francisco Budget Committee Hears Department Budgets on June 17, 2022
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San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting – June 17, 2022
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Supervisor Hillary Ronan, held a full-day hearing on the Mayor's proposed FY 2022-2023 and FY 2023-2024 budgets. The committee reviewed budgets for multiple public safety and justice departments, heard public testimony, and voted on several items. Chair Ronan noted an unprecedented $1.3 billion in ad-back requests, reflecting deep poverty in the city. The meeting included presentations from Juvenile Probation, Adult Probation, the Superior Court, the Police Department, the Department of Police Accountability, the Public Defender, the District Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Department, and the Fire Department.
Public Comment
- David Pilpel (public commenter) supported the Deputy Fire Chiefs ordinance (Item 4) and urged civilianization of non‑sworn positions. He also supported the motion to continue Items 1 and 2.
- One caller commented on the police vehicle theft surcharge (Item 3), stating no opposition.
- Public comment was also taken on the motion to continue the budget to June 22.
Discussion Items
1. Juvenile Probation (Chief Katie Miller)
- Proposed budget of $36.5 million (FY23) – an increase primarily due to state funding from the closure of state youth prisons (DJJ).
- Vacancies reduced to 30 (lowest in 4 years); 37 FTEs eliminated since FY 2018-19.
- New responsibilities include housing young adults with long‑term commitments and developing a new facility design (requested $500,000 for design consultant).
- $9.9 million increase over current year; most state funds passed to DCYF for community-based services.
- Supervisor Walton asked about the transition plan for closing Juvenile Hall; Chief Miller confirmed operations continue with new state mandates.
2. Adult Probation (Chief Christel Tuac)
- Proposed FY23 budget of $53.9 million, FY24 $50.7 million.
- Major priorities: workforce support, preserving community partner investments, strategic racial equity plan.
- 23 vacancies (14.8% vacancy rate).
- TRP therapeutic community program (abstinence‑based) is one‑time funded for FY23; Mayor's budget director indicated future funding depends on effectiveness.
- Supervisor Safai raised concerns about ongoing funding for programs like TRP and the Mina Project.
3. Superior Court (Executive Officer Mike U)
- City funds two programs: Civil Grand Jury ($250,000) and Indigent Defense Administration (IDA) ($10.1 million).
- IDA covers conflict representation for defendants when Public Defender has a conflict.
- President Walton questioned the court's stance on trial delays; Mr. U cited active litigation and could not comment on a specific hearing.
- Supervisor Safai expressed frustration at the court's lack of collaboration on public safety issues.
4. Police Department (Chief Bill Scott)
- Proposed budget increase of $52.5 million (to $782 million).
- 486 sworn vacancies; response times have increased (A-priority calls now 9 min, C-priority 99 min).
- Attrition: 121 officers left since 2020; 68 lateraled to other agencies.
- Budget enhancements include recruitment firm, technology, 27 new hybrid vehicles, and $26.8 million in overtime (aligned from vacancy savings).
- Supervisor Walton questioned deployment priorities, arguing officers are pulled from high‑homicide districts for property crime and the Tenderloin crisis, while human life should be paramount.
- Supervisor Safai emphasized the need for more officers to meet public safety demands and foot patrols.
- Supervisor Chan asked about diversity metrics and civilianization; Chief Scott noted 70% of recent recruits are people of color.
- Supervisor Preston proposed placing $50 million on reserve pending measurable progress on racial disparities and transparency (SB 1421 compliance).
5. Department of Police Accountability (Director Henderson)
- Budget increase of $432,181; one new legal position added.
- 700+ independent investigations annually; training budget increased from $4,000 to $20,000.
- Hiring challenges due to police department background delays; Director urged direct access to body‑worn camera footage.
- 775 allegations handled; no missed 3304 deadlines under his leadership.
6. Public Defender (Manohar Raju)
- Budget of about $58 million (58% of DA's budget).
- 92% of budget is salary; no new general fund positions – only grant‑funded for Clean Slate and Post‑Conviction Unit.
- Vacancies: 14 positions (0 attorney vacancies; all recent).
- Emphasized holistic defense model (warrior, counselor, activist) and work on racial justice, cash bail reform, and the Freedom Project.
- Chair Ronan shared a story of a neighborhood crisis resolved by Public Defender and Pretrial Diversion.
7. District Attorney's Office (Chief Assistant Marshall Kine)
- Proposed budget increase of 4.1% ($3.62 FTE annualization).
- 130 attorneys handle ~6,000 active cases; 30 victim advocates serve 8,000 victims annually.
- 14% attrition rate due to leadership transition; most vacancies filled quickly (exempt positions).
- Supervisor Chan noted Prop D (victim services office) may create redundancies.
8. Sheriff's Department (Sheriff Paul Miyamoto)
- 176 sworn vacancies; overtime is 25% of total work hours (goal: 10%).
- Hiring plan: 75 new hires per year (academy classes of 20 + lateral hires).
- Criminal justice reforms include free phone calls, commissary reductions, and a pilot to provide devices to incarcerated individuals.
- Cameo House transitional housing for women and children was cut from budget; Sheriff supports its restoration.
- No expansion of County Jail 6; a planned annex is for COVID‑related surge capacity.
9. Fire Department (Chief Janine Nicholson)
- Budget increase reflects structural adjustments and new positions: 125 new positions in FY23 (including 60 EMS from prior add‑backs).
- Two new firefighter academies per year; no recruitment challenges.
- Mental Health Network (MHN) program funded to support all public safety employees; additional captain position requested for behavioral health unit.
- Item 4 (administrative code amendment to allow three deputy chiefs, including one for EMS) was presented and supported.
Key Outcomes
- Item 3 (Police Vehicle Theft Crime Fund Surcharge) was amended and forwarded to the full Board on July 12, 2022, with a positive recommendation (unanimous vote).
- Item 4 (Deputy Fire Chiefs ordinance) was forwarded to the full Board on July 12, 2022, with a positive recommendation (unanimous vote).
- Items 1 and 2 (Budget and Salary Ordinances) were continued to the June 22, 2022 Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting (unanimous vote).
- The committee heard all department presentations; public comment was taken on each item. No votes were taken on department budgets themselves; they will be reviewed further with Budget and Legislative Analyst recommendations.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. The meeting will come to order. This is the June 17th, 2022 budget and appropriations committee. The entire committee is glowing because we are champions. That was amazing. Just a little shout out to those warriors. That was incredible. We're all very happy. I'm Supervisor Hillary Ronin, chair of the Budget Appropriations Committee. I'm joined by committee members. Supervisor, Vice Chair Asha Safai, who is on time for the first meeting of the year. Congratulations, Supervisor Safai. And Gordon Maher, Connie Chan, and President Shaman Walton. Our clerk is the amazing Brent Halipa, who is working like you wouldn't believe, and we appreciate and love him very much. And I would like to thank James Kawana at EsseCovTV for broadcasting this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Thank you, Madam Chair. With our return to the chamber, just a friendly reminder for those in attendance to please the sounds all cell phones and electronic devices. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are now convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public access is essential, and we'll be taking public comment as follows. First public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we'll take those who are uh waiting on the telephone line. For those watching either channels 2678 or 99 and SFGovTV.org. The public comment call in number is streaming across the screen. That number is 415 655 000 one. Again, that's 415 65501, and then enter the meeting ID 2494 317 6708. Then press pound and then pound again. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you'll be muted hand in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to speak, and those on the telephone should dial star three to also be uh be added to the speaker line. Uh if you're on your telephone, please remember to turn down your TV and all listening devices you may be using. Uh all other comments regarding funding and programs or any matter that is not on today's agenda will be heard on public comment day on Friday, June 24th, 2022. Um alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. Email them to myself, the budget and appropriations committee clerk at B-R-E-N-T.j S F G-O-V dot or G. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file. Uh, you may also send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office and city hall. That's one Dr. Carlton B. Godlith, place room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. And uh thank you, Madam Chair. That concludes my announcements. Thank you so much. Um, so I have been making um announcements at the beginning of every meeting. Um, it's really a message to the department heads. I I did send you the complete message that I read the first day, and I hope you get a chance to read it. Uh, this is a really rough budget year. Um, the amount of poverty in the city is at really one of the highest levels uh that I've ever seen it, and and that's reflected in a number of ways. Um, but one way it's reflected in that we've got an unprecedented ad back list. Um, 1.3 billion dollars of asks.
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